Gale backing Root to meet England bowling challenge

Having answered one or two doubters questioning his readiness for opening the Test batting in the most emphatic and imperious way possible with a classy 180 against Australia at Lord’s, the gifted 22-year-old is now being backed to make the leap from part-time to frontline spinner.

The man investing such faith in Root – and someone perfectly judged to comment on England’s rising new star having seen his burgeoning talent develop at close quarters – is Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale.

The Tykes skipper sees no reason why Root cannot develop into a Test ‘tweaker’ of some repute, while being adamant he is more than just a stop-gap bowler.

Aside from becoming the youngest Englishman in history to score an Ashes ton at headquarters at 22 years and 202 days, Sheffield-born Root provided a little caveat, by virtue of the two key wickets of top-order men Michael Clarke and Usman Khawaja as the Baggy Green were dismissed for 235 second time around, helping the hosts triumph by 347 runs.

Root’s off-spin is expected to be utilised again at spin-friendly Old Trafford with the third Test getting underway on Thursday as England attempt to secure a series victory and retain the Ashes with a third straight Test win.

While Monty Panesar provides a clear second spin option for England, having been named in England’s 14-man squad, the smart money seems to be on the 31-year-old missing out, despite Old Trafford being easily his best Test venue, having taken 25 wickets at an average of 17 in just three Tests there.

But the chances of England playing two recognised spinners across the Pennines appear remote, with the fact that Root took two wickets in seven overs at Lord’s – the prized scalp of Clarke and Khawaja, caught at gully following a classic delivery to a left-hander – providing plenty of evidence he could profit later this week.

On the spin credentials of Root, who has dismissed three recognised Aussie batsmen so far this series, Gale said: “With Joe’s part-time spin, he can be used as a second spinner and is more than capable of doing a job for England and eventually being a frontline spinner.

“His spin bowling has developed really well. He did a good job for us in Twenty20 (last year) and in one-day cricket, although we probably did not use him that much in County Championship cricket.

“He is such an intelligent cricketer and knew that if he worked on his bowling, it would give him another string to his bow.

“He just gives you options as a captain and we’ve seen already how his part-time spin can change a game.

“His spin also balances the team.

“I guess if England play a real turning pitch somewhere, then you would probably play two spinners. But here, it’s very rare that you need two spinners these days, particularly on the Test grounds.”

If England beat the confidence-sapped Aussies in the third Test, it will secure a fourth series win against the old enemy in five meetings and see them hold a 3-0 Ashes lead for the first time since 1977.

Gale for one is confident that scenario will materialise, especially if the Manchester track turns and the weather is set fair.

He said: “I cannot see England playing two seamers and two spinners and going down that route. But if it does spin, I think England will just walk all over Australia; I really don’t think they have enough firepower in the spin department to trouble England. I think given some good weather – because we know what it is like in Manchester – England will get over the line.”

England’s main selection issue

revolves around Kevin Pietersen, with management prepared to give him until the last minute to prove his fitness – following an injury to his left calf – before deciding on their final line-up.

If the 33-year-old misses out, then James Taylor is tipped to step in for his Ashes bow, having been drafted in as cover.

Taylor was promoted ahead of the likes of other potential candidates such as Yorkshire’s Gary Ballance, who has scored 802 first-class runs at an impressive 61.69 so far this summer, Eoin Morgan and Nick Compton.

Gale’s view is that it represents the right call, while being equally confident Ballance’s time will come with England in the future.

He said: “It would have been nice to see Gary in there and he is going well at the moment. But I think James deserves his chance.

“He played a couple of Tests last summer and did okay and he’s having a fantastic season this year and is just shy of 900 runs in Championship cricket and I think he deserves the opportunity before Gary.

“It would be easier for Gary to play some Twenty20 and one-day stuff with England and work his way up that way – by finding his feet in the shorter formats.”